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Tayo Fabuluje

NFC Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Vikings, Seahawks

January 21st, 2017 at 11:16am CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys defensive line struggled at times this past season, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the team would be searching for some reinforcement this offseason. Executive vice president Stephen Jones essentially confirmed that the team would be pursuing an edge rusher when appearing on Ben and Skin on KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan (via DallasNews.com):

“There’s no question. That’s why we always have to continue to be better. We haven’t done a good job of that. We’ve tried in several different ways to make that happen. But as we sit here today, we don’t have that player. We saw glimpses of that with Randy Gregory, but that’s a huge question mark as to when he might be able to come back and be a football player in the NFL. Getting his life off the field in the right order is the most important thing. But in the mean time, there’s no question what our needs are. The focus is gonna be on defense.

“You don’t ever shut your eye to a player who can help improve you on the offensive side of the ball either. We showed that last year when everybody knew how bad we needed defense and we obviously picked Zeke. Had the right rationale for it. I don’t think anything could have gone more according to plan than picking Zeke. I don’t think you ever rule out anything. That’s how you make huge mistakes. But I think it’s obvious to anyone who watches our football team that the defensive side of the football, especially our front seven, is where we need the most improvement.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

  • The Redskins‘ search for a defensive coordinator will be entering a third week, and one player believes the wait is a positive sign for outside linebackers coach (and candidate) Greg Manusky. ESPN.com’s John Keim writes that the former Colts defensive coordinator has the support of the Redskins players, and he notes that the front office may appreciate the continuity and Manusky’s familiarity with the organization.
  • Keim writes that the Redskins want to hang on to assistant defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, noting that Sean McVay has had interest in bringing his former co-worker to the Rams. Pleasant played a significant role in helping former wideout Quinton Dunbar transition to a defensive back.
  • UCLA has hired Vikings assistant offensive line coach Hank Fraley as their new offensive line coach, reports Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports (via Twitter). The former NFL lineman had spent the past three seasons in Minnesota, and he previously coached at the University of San Diego and San Jose State.
  • The Seahawks worked out a trio of players yesterday, according to Howard Balzer on Twitter: offensive linemen Pierce Burton and Tayo Fabuluje and defensive end B.J. McBryde. Fabuluje, a former sixth-round pick, played four game for the Bears in 2015. Burton and McBryde have yet to play in an NFL game.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/1/2016

June 1st, 2016 at 4:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Giants have signed their third-round pick, safety Darian Thompson, according to the New York Daily News’ Ralph Vacchiano (on Twitter). Thompson was a four-year standout at Boise State, where he appeared in 49 games and intercepted 17 passes.
  • The Seahawks have waived cornerback Jamal Marshall, whom they signed undrafted out of North Texas last month, tweets Dov Kleiman of RantSports.
  • The Chargers have cut offensive tackle Zeth Ramsay, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ramsey signed with the Chargers in April as an undrafted free agent from Colorado Mesa.
  • The Packers have waived two rookies, receiver Devonte Robinson (non-football illness) and guard Cory Tucker, and signed first-year guard Lucas Patrick, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
  • The Cardinals have cut safety Brandon Person, receiver Chris King and offensive tackle Edawn Coughman (previously reported), per Darren Urban of the team’s official website (Twitter link).
  • The Jets signed defensive end Shelby Harris and waived fellow defensive end (and former shot putter) Lawrence Okoye, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets.
  • The Lions signed undrafted free agent tackle Dominick Jackson, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes.
  • The Browns signed fourth-round wide receiver Ricardo Louis and fourth-round tight end Seth DeValve, as Wilson tweets.
  • The Bears have waived OT Tayo Fabuluje, per Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).

Bears Place Antrel Rolle On IR, Activate Tayo Fabuluje

December 14th, 2015 at 2:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears placed Antrel Rolle on injured reserve with a sprained MCL in his right knee, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. The move will clear a spot for the return of tackle Tayo Fabuluje from a four-game suspension.

The veteran safety hurt his knee on the final play of a non-contract practice Nov. 20 and never returned from it. Fabuluje, meanwhile, has been out for roughly a month after testing positive for an appetite suppressant during training camp.

Fabuluje, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, was not in Chicago’s starting lineup this season, but he was a part of the field goal unit and present in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

Bears’ Tayo Fabuluje Suspended Four Games

November 10th, 2015 at 3:43pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL has handed out its second four-game suspension of the day, with the Bears announcing (via Twitter) that rookie tackle Tayo Fabuluje has been banned for the next four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. We heard earlier this afternoon that free agent running back Joseph Randle has also been suspended four games.

Fabuluje, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, has been active for the Bears’ last several games. While he hasn’t earned a spot in the starting lineup, the 24-year-old has played on the field goal unit and in goal-line and short-yardage situations, as Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune tweets.

In a text message to Peggy Kusinski of NBC Chicago, Fabuluje acknowledges that he “took [an] appetite suppressant back in training camp” that resulted in a failed drug test.

The Bears may look to add an offensive lineman via free agency or from their practice squad later this week, to fortify their depth at the position. With Fabuluje sidelined for the next four weeks, the rookie will miss Chicago’s games against the Rams, Broncos, Packers, and 49ers.